From half bottle. Rather severe on first opening, astringent tannins, alcoholic heat. Needed to sit in the decanter and have a word with itself for a couple of hours.
After which a nice nose of ripe plum fruit, dried/stewed almost, a little leather. Tannins had smoothed and acidity taken a back seat to provide nice freshness, but no harsh edges. Still a little alcoholic realistically. Not bad but not a repeat purchase
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Tobacco, camphor, mint and cassis. Hot smelling and a bit wild. Big wine, noticeable alcohol 15%, North African spices, leather and tobacco. Great fun but is this really Bordeaux?
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I tasted this en primeur and liked it a lot for what it was. Today it still has plenty of tannin but is awkward and not fully in balance. I had hoped for more, particularly from the vintage. It was much improved some time in a decanter and with food. I’m not sure more time in the cellar will help but let’s see.
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Red colour with some fading Clarety nose, pencil shavings, fruit, smells quite old school. Plenty of tannin on the palate, savoury, damp earth, quite old school claret but then there's a sweetness and richness which is quite hedonistic with a toasty nutty finish. Also watch out for that 15% ABV! It doesn't taste that strong.56y Drinking nicely now but no hurry to drink.
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Oak very dominant on the nose obstructing any fruit aromas. More enjoyable than last year having said that..... and needs food big time. It is what it is let's hope with time it integrates and improves. For the meantime if I have no leftover wine to hand I use it for cooking.
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3/25/2024 - DrDave88 Likes this wine:
From half bottle. Rather severe on first opening, astringent tannins, alcoholic heat. Needed to sit in the decanter and have a word with itself for a couple of hours.
After which a nice nose of ripe plum fruit, dried/stewed almost, a little leather. Tannins had smoothed and acidity taken a back seat to provide nice freshness, but no harsh edges. Still a little alcoholic realistically. Not bad but not a repeat purchase
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4/9/2022 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
Tobacco, camphor, mint and cassis. Hot smelling and a bit wild.
Big wine, noticeable alcohol 15%, North African spices, leather and tobacco. Great fun but is this really Bordeaux?
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3/2/2021 - WestBerkshire wrote: 86 Points
I tasted this en primeur and liked it a lot for what it was. Today it still has plenty of tannin but is awkward and not fully in balance. I had hoped for more, particularly from the vintage. It was much improved some time in a decanter and with food. I’m not sure more time in the cellar will help but let’s see.
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2/17/2021 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
Red colour with some fading
Clarety nose, pencil shavings, fruit, smells quite old school.
Plenty of tannin on the palate, savoury, damp earth, quite old school claret but then there's a sweetness and richness which is quite hedonistic with a toasty nutty finish.
Also watch out for that 15% ABV! It doesn't taste that strong.56y
Drinking nicely now but no hurry to drink.
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2/17/2020 - stkilda wrote: 84 Points
Oak very dominant on the nose obstructing any fruit aromas. More enjoyable than last year having said that..... and needs food big time. It is what it is let's hope with time it integrates and improves. For the meantime if I have no leftover wine to hand I use it for cooking.
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